The King We Didn’t Expect (A Palm Sunday Reflection for Moms)
As moms, our days are full—bedtime routines, snack requests, laundry piles, and trying to keep everyone alive and loved. It’s easy to move through life on autopilot, especially during busy seasons.
But this week—the week leading up to Easter—is not just another week.
It is the most important week in history.
It’s the week Jesus stepped into the spotlight and revealed Himself as King… and somehow, many people still missed Him.
And if we’re honest? Sometimes we do too.
When Faith Feels Like a Choice
There’s a story that always makes me pause.
Charles Templeton and Billy Graham once walked closely together in ministry. Same mission. Same passion. Same calling.
But over time, Templeton began to wrestle with doubt—and eventually walked away from his faith.
Billy Graham made a different choice. He said, “I believe the Bible is the Word of God, and I will not reject it.”
That moment wasn’t about having all the answers—it was about trust.
And as moms, we face that same choice in quieter ways every day:
- Will I trust God with my kids?
- With my future?
- With the things I can’t control?
The Real Struggle: Control
If we’re being real, surrender is hard.
We like having a plan. We like feeling in control. We want things to go the way we expect—especially when it comes to our families.
But at the heart of it, that’s the tension:
Do I run my life… or do I let Jesus be Lord over it?
The First Palm Sunday
Picture this moment.
Jesus is entering Jerusalem. People are lining the streets. Palm branches are waving. Cloaks are covering the road.
And the crowd is shouting, “Hosanna!”
It looks like a celebration—and it was.
But they misunderstood who they were celebrating.
What They Wanted:
- A strong leader
- Someone to fix their problems immediately
- A king who would make life easier
Who Jesus Actually Is:
- A Savior
- A righteous King
- The One who brings peace—not just externally, but deep within our hearts
Sound familiar?
Because sometimes we want Jesus to fix everything around us… when He’s actually working inside us.
When Expectations Get in the Way
The people in that crowd had expectations. And when Jesus didn’t meet them, everything changed.
Just days later, the same voices shouting “Hosanna!” were yelling “Crucify Him!”
That shift is heartbreaking—but also deeply human.
Because we can do the same thing in our own lives:
- Praise Him when things are good
- Question Him when things don’t go as planned
The Kind of King He Is
One of my favorite moments in this story happens just before the cross.
Jesus sits with His disciples—knowing one will betray Him and another will deny Him—and He washes their feet.
He serves them.
That’s our King.
Not distant. Not harsh. Not demanding perfection.
But gentle. Patient. Present. Loving.
The kind of King we actually need—especially in the middle of motherhood.
The King Who Is Still to Come
The story doesn’t end with the cross.
Jesus rose. He was exalted. And one day, He will return—not in humility, but in glory.
Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess that He is Lord.
And on that day, there will be no confusion about who He is.
A Quiet Question for Busy Moms
In the middle of all the noise and responsibilities, here’s the question I keep coming back to:
Is Jesus truly King in my life—or just part of it?
Not just on Sundays.
Not just when things are easy.
But in the everyday moments:
- The bedtime prayers
- The stressful mornings
- The moments I feel overwhelmed or unsure
A Gentle Invitation
This week, as Easter approaches, don’t miss Jesus because He doesn’t meet your expectations.
Let Him be who He truly is:
Your King. Your Savior. Your peace.
And maybe, right in the middle of bedtime stories and messy kitchens, you’ll find that He’s been there all along—quietly leading, loving, and holding it all together.
Reflection for Tonight (after the kids are asleep):
- Where am I holding onto control instead of trusting God?
- Am I inviting Jesus into my daily life—or keeping Him at a distance?
- What would it look like to truly let Him be King in my home?
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
Just start with surrender.
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